Device and system for tracking a golf ball with round indicators and club statistics

ABSTRACT

A system for tracking the flight, location and other information of a golf ball or other mobile object. Also provided is a golf ball including onboard circuitry and other components for wireless communication with a remote receiver.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/885,267, filed Oct. 1, 2013, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to the field of tracking devices and methods. Exemplary embodiments relate to a system for tracking the flight and location of a golf ball or other movable object and software for providing statistics regarding the ball or object.

BACKGROUND

Golfers who wish to determine various characteristics of their golf ball, either in flight or when it lands typically must use a spotter to locate the ball or other external detector or measurement system. It would be desirable to have a golf ball with onboard intelligence that can communicate various characteristics of the ball and its location to a remote receiver, such as a mobile computing device.

SUMMARY

Exemplary embodiments provide for the tracking and locating of a golf ball via GPS on a golf course. Exemplary embodiments provide a device comprising an electronic golf ball that has GPS, cellular, wifi, and Bluetooth transmission technology, as well as a gyroscope for the determination of strokes, speed and rate of spin on the golf ball. This device connects to an external server and/or smart phone application for reporting of its location and associated information.

This system also may also include start and end of round indicators and user club statics.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a ball according to a first exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a ball showing the antenna as flush with the surface of the ball.

FIG. 3 is an exploded schematic view of a ball and components according to one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the components and circuit flow according to one embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the communication flow between various components according to one embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a device according to one embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a golf course hole and device placed on a golf course hole flag pole.

FIG. 8 is a device according to one embodiment, attachable to a golf club.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of the communication flow between various components according to one embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the communication flow between various components according to a group or controlled embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of the communication flow between various components according to a direct single access embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of the communication flow between various components according to a group or controlled access embodiment.

FIG. 13 is an exploded view of golf ball according to one exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a detail view of the embodiment of FIG. 13.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In exemplary embodiments, a device is provided that has looks and feel of a conventional golf ball and is able to report its location via a wireless communication systems and maintain power for an extended period of time.

In exemplary embodiments, a device may determine the stroke number by the sudden acceleration of the device at a high acceleration (“g”) level or to go from stop to start at a low g level. The device can be reset from one hole to the next by shaking it a predetermined times to indicate the start of the next hole, or via wireless communication with a start/end of round indicator. The device may have its own internal battery and use wireless charging so the device can be sealed so as to prevent short circuiting when dumped in water. The device may optionally have solar paint as a trickle feed power source to increase its duration during time on the course. In one exemplary embodiment, the device is also programmable and designed for low energy use and includes a unique identification.

In one exemplary embodiment, the components of the device include a battery, an energy harvesting coil and associated hardware, a means for programming or selecting a device identification number, a low power microprocessor with static ram and wireless hardware, GPS hardware, cellular hardware, Bluetooth hardware, gyroscope hardware, antenna system and a power regulator for battery charging. This can be surrounded by a natural or synthetic rubber or other cover substance enclosed in a hard shell.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the device includes a hard shell, the natural or synthetic rubber half, the PCB board with the hardware components, the battery, and the special designed antennas. One antenna is for receiving the GPS signal with the second antenna for the sending and receiving of cellular and wireless data.

FIG. 2 illustrates how one exemplary embodiment of a device will look enclosed in a golf ball shell with the antennas ends sticking out flush with the external body of the golf ball. It also shows the only two LED's that indicate power of the device and communication activity.

Components

In one exemplary embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 3, the components of the device include a battery, an energy harvesting coil and associated hardware, a means for programming or selecting device identification number, a low power microprocessor with static ram and wireless hardware, GPS hardware, cellular hardware, Bluetooth hardware, gyroscope hardware, antenna system and a power regulator for an external charging source. This will be surrounded by a natural or synthetic rubber substance enclosed in a hard shell with two visual indicator LEDs for power and communications.

Golf Ball Components

FIG. 4 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of the components of a golf ball. While the device can use an 8-bit, 16-bit, or 32-bit or higher bit processor, it is important that the processor run at low power to reduce battery drain. The design of the device contemplates low power usage, while maintain the ability to detect its current state and send update messages in near real-time.

The unit could even be programmed to go to sleep after a certain time and then wake up when there is no movement. The microprocessor also could have an integrated network wired or wireless interface as part of the chip, so accessing the network is part of the chip itself. One exemplary battery for the device is a lithium-ion battery, since it can easily be made to fit the device dimensions, as well as provide long life power source for the device. The device has an operating system running in connection therewith which controls the task of sending messages for the updating of the devices location. The device has an array of communications options including Bluetooth, wireless, cellular and the like. This allows the device to be configured using Bluetooth or wireless and use the cellular or wireless option to send updates about its location. The gyroscope hardware assists with determining acceleration, spin, rate of acceleration, and de-acceleration to stop. This also assists with determining shakes for the start of a new round of golf.

Operation Logic

In the initial design of the operating task for the device, the device may perform one of several tasks: wait on a connection for configuration, wait to determine if it is at the start of a hole of golf; wait to see if there is a certain sequence of shakes for the end of a hole, or a message from a start/end of round indicator; sudden acceleration to indicate a stroke, slowing of acceleration to stop to indicate the end of a stroke, or slowing of acceleration with a drop to indicate that the ball dropped into the hole.

The device uses a real-time operating system (OS) that controls task, events and interrupts. This OS is stored in the device's permanent memory and can be updated as needed.

How the Golf Ball GPS Tracking Works

The initial design of the unit takes advantage of and measures, as applicable, movement of the device and sudden acceleration as a mean to decide when it is in play and when it is not. When the device detects sudden acceleration of a high gravity nature after the end of a hole or after configuration, it decides that this is start of a round of golf, and then starts to broadcast it position. Ideally, it broadcast its position on the first sudden drop in acceleration and then once it has stop completely.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the device has an identification number and sends message to a smart phone or other computing device application or a server.

Golf Ball GPS Round Indicators

The initial design of the golf ball round indicators are Bluetooth devices that indicate the number of the hole and communicate with the player's golf ball to tell it that there is a new round of golf or indicate that they have reached the end of the round. It also indicates the number of stokes and the information about the hole such as yards to the cup. It also communicates the golfer's information with the system.

Start Round Indicator

As illustrated in FIG. 6, the device can be placed on the large balls that are present at each hole and would communicate via Bluetooth to the ball information about the hole number of golf. The GPS golf ball would then communicate the user of the golf ball for that round. This will automate tracking of users on the golf course and score keeping. These devices have a unique identification that can be associated with each golf course.

End of Round Indicator

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the device can be placed on the flag poll and it would broadcast to the golf ball that it has reached the green and information about the green, such as distance to the whole. In the hole itself, there is a metal plate or indicator that knows when the golf ball entered the hole. This will communicate with the GPS golf ball that that golf round is over and all the strokes of the user can be recorded to the system.

Golf Club Statics Device

In exemplary embodiments, an initial design of the golf club statics device includes a tiny Bluetooth device with a battery and gyro chip so as to measure the stroke information on a play. This can record speed and angle of the stroke which can then be sent back to the server as part of a user's information. The device each has a unique device identification that can be associated with a user.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, the tiny device can be attached to the golf club for automated measurements of their stroke.

Tracking Software Application

In exemplary embodiments, a smart phone or other mobile device software application provide a user interface for accessing, configuring and updating information to the device. In this embodiment, the first option is the direct contact option, in which the smart phone application acts as the server to the GPS golf ball and it does the configuration and listens for messages from the device.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the device has a smart phone application that does the configuration and acts as the server for updates from the device.

In this embodiment, the second option is the indirect contact option, with this the smart phone software application acting as the server to an external web server to which is recorded all the messages from the device and updates to a user record.

FIG. 10 shows one exemplary embodiment in which a smart phone application and server does the configuration and receives message from the device via the wireless interface or the cellular interface. Note that with the golf start and end indicators and the golf user statics device one may have a completely automated system for golf.

Tracking Method

In one exemplary embodiment two methods are provided for accessing the GPS golf ball: (1) a direct access method for single play access or (2) a method for group or controlled access. In a direct access method, there is no server needed for the use of the device, the device is directly configured by the smart phone application, and then all messages about the device are directly sent to the smart phone application.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, the GPS golf ball is configured by using Bluetooth or wireless, then once the first round of golf starts, the message about location, speed, and stroke are sent directly to the smart phone application.

In the controlled group access, the device is configured using the wireless access and the user has a record on the web server where he/she has registered. The GPS golf ball is paired with the user and so is the user's cell phone.

As illustrated in FIG. 12, the device sends its messages to a server via either the wireless access or cellular access and the messages are recorded on a server for the user. The web server then updates the application that an event has occurred and it then displays the new information.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, a GPS golf ball may indicate:

-   -   1. A user's location;     -   2. Spin;     -   3. Swing hardness; and,     -   4. Roll after touch down.

In at least one exemplary embodiment, GPS golf ball technology may include:

-   -   1. at least one GPS chip;     -   2. at least one accelerator chip;     -   3. at least one gyroscope chip;     -   4. cellular, WiFi and/or Bluetooth communications;     -   5. at least one wireless charging unit;     -   6. at least one microprocessor control; and     -   7. at least one embedded antenna.

This hardware may determine, spin, hardness of swing with roll and communicate it to an external device.

An exemplary embodiment of such a system may include an electronic start of round indicators and an electronic end of round indicators.

FIG. 13 illustrates one exemplary embodiment of a golf ball containing a chip. FIG. 14 is a detailed view of the chip assembly of FIG. 13.

The following numbered clauses include embodiments that are contemplated and non-limiting:

Clause 1: The present disclosure provides an object, such as a golf ball, comprising a ball; at least one GPS chip; at least one accelerator chip; at least one gyroscope chip; means for wireless communication; at least one wireless charging unit; at least one microprocessor control; and, at least one embedded antenna.

Clause 2: The present disclosure provides a system for tracking characteristics of a movable object and communicating such characteristics to a remote device, the system comprising, a movable object comprising at least one GPS chip; at least one accelerator chip; at least one gyroscope chip; means for wireless communication; at least one wireless charging unit; at least one microprocessor control; and, at least one embedded antenna, a beginning point indicator; an ending point indicator; and, a computing device including software for processing communications and data received from the movable object and further including at least one display and at least one user interface.

While the present invention has been illustrated by a description of one or more embodiments thereof and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, they are not intended to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. The invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the scope of the general inventive concept. 

Claimed is:
 1. An object, such as a golf ball, comprising: a. a ball; b. at least one GPS chip; c. at least one accelerator chip; d. at least one gyroscope chip; e. means for wireless communication; f. at least one wireless charging unit; g. at least one microprocessor control; and, h. at least one embedded antenna.
 2. A system for tracking characteristics of a movable object and communicating such characteristics to a remote device, the system comprising: a. a movable object comprising, i. at least one GPS chip; ii. at least one accelerator chip; iii. at least one gyroscope chip; iv. means for wireless communication; v. at least one wireless charging unit; vi. at least one microprocessor control; and, vii. at least one embedded antenna, b. a beginning point indicator; c. an ending point indicator; and, d. a computing device including software for processing communications and data received from the movable object and further including at least one display and at least one user interface. 